QuestionsQuestions (TESDA Resolution NO. 2003-17)
TESDA Resolution No. 2003-17 is based on Republic Act No. 7796 (TESDA Act of 1994), which empowers TESDA to establish and maintain a system for accrediting, coordinating, integrating, monitoring, and evaluating formal and non-formal technical education and training. The Resolution approves and adopts the UTPRAS Guidelines on Sanctions and Penalties to operationalize sanctions under the Omnibus Amendatory Guidelines and related UTPRAS issuances.
UTPRAS (Unified TVET Program Registration and Accreditation System) is a two-stage quality assurance process: (1) mandatory registration of programs with TESDA to ensure minimum requirements, and monitoring of registered programs for continuous compliance; and (2) voluntary accreditation that institutionalizes a quality management system using the Philippine TVET Quality Award framework.
An “unregistered program” is a TVET program offered by an institution that is not registered under UTPRAS.
The steps are: (1) written warning of violation for offering unregistered programs, giving time to explain and comply; (2) issuance of a Notice of Unregistered Offering of the Program(s) and publication in a local newspaper, TESDA website, and announcement in a government radio station; and (3) furnishing notice to the Mayor with a request for cancellation of the Mayor’s permit to operate.
After receipt of the Official Notice, the institution must submit a Letter of Explanation indicating the underlying causes within five (5) working days.
Within five (5) working days from receipt of the Letter of Explanation, the Provincial/District Director issues a Letter of Compliance to register the program(s), granting a 30-day grace period. Within five (5) working days from receipt of the Letter of Compliance, the institution must send a Letter of Intent to conform within the deadline set in registering the program(s).
Yes. The institution may request in writing for an extension if the deadline will not be met. The Provincial/District Director may grant an extension depending on the merits, but it must not exceed ten (10) working days.
An institution that failed to execute a Letter of Intent to Conform is not eligible for the grant of extension.
The Provincial/District Office must publish the Notice of Unregistered Offering of the program(s) in a newspaper of local circulation, on the TESDA website, and announce it in a government station. A copy of the Notice must be forwarded to the Mayor’s Office with a transmittal letter requesting cancellation of the Mayor’s permit to operate. Coordination must be made with local authorities for appropriate action.
Non-conformities are categorized by the TESDA auditor as either high-risk or low-risk based on the nature of infractions and their risk to students and other stakeholders, with specific examples enumerated in the guidelines (e.g., high-risk includes invalid SEC registration, expired fire safety certificates, lack of competency-based delivery evidence, missing required equipment/tools, unavailability of qualified instructors, and absence of health and career guidance services).
The steps are: (1) grant of extension (where applicable) to institutions that did not comply within the due date but executed a Letter of Explanation within the required timeframe and provided a meritorious explanation; (2) issuance of a Notice of Cancellation of Registration to the institution that failed to comply; and (3) de-listing of the program(s) that failed to comply and publication in a local newspaper.
Examples include invalid SEC registration; expired fire safety certificate; absence/failure to show evidence that the curriculum is delivered using the competency-based approach; missing or insufficient equipment/tools/consumables; missing or insufficient instructional materials; unavailability of qualified instructors; non-compliant entry requirements; undocumented attendance rules; evidence that health services are not being provided; and evidence that career guidance/placement services are not provided; also expired contract of lease of premises.
Examples include tuition fees/program cost adjustments not updated to the concerned TESDA Provincial Office; changes in list of officials and non-teaching staff qualifications not apprised to TESDA; and no documented grading system or lack of details provided to students/trainees.
After the due date for corrective action, if the institution failed to rectify non-conformities upon verification of the TESDA auditor, it must execute a Letter of Explanation within five (5) working days from the due date of rectifying the non-conformities, indicating the causes for not being able to comply on time.
If no appeals are made within five (5) working days from receipt of the Notice of Cancellation of Registration, TESDA will take out the registered status of the program(s) in its Registry (de-list). The Notice of Cancellation of Registration will also be published in a newspaper of local circulation for public information.
Only low-risk non-compliances can be appealed to the Director General. High-risk non-compliance, once approved by the Provincial/District Director, becomes final and executory (i.e., not subject to the Director General appeal process under the guideline). The Director General must act within 30 working days from receipt; if no decision is made within the timeline, the appeal is upheld.
They must transfer enrollees in on-going unregistered or de-listed programs to the nearest training provider offering the same National Certificate Level program registered with TESDA. They must also refund in full the fees paid by students, including tuition, laboratory, and miscellaneous fees. These obligations apply concurrently and are required to comply with both provisions.
No. The guidelines state that sanctions apply without prejudice to students and parents taking legal action in the appropriate court against the erring institution.